DMT and the pineal gland

an excerpt from DMT: The Spirit Molecule by Dr. Rick Strassman (published by Inner Traditions)

“Do you think,” I offered, “that the pineal might produce psychedelic compounds? It seems to have the right ingredients. Maybe it somehow mediates spontaneous psychedelic types of states-psychosis for example.” I was hesitant to get much deeper than this and avoided mentioning my more controversial ideas about the pineal-that it played a role in more exotic states, such as near-death or mystical experiences. Dr. K stopped in his tracks and turned on his heels. His brow furrowed and he peered at me intently through his glasses. A palpable menace glinted from his eyes. “Oops,” I thought.

“Let me tell you this, Rick,” he said very slowly and firmly. “The pineal has nothing to do with psychedelic drugs.”

That was the last time that year I said the words pineal and psychedelic in…